Large and slender tyrant flycatcher, about 20–21 cm in length, with an elongated shape, long wings, and a broad tail. When perched, its plumage is rather plain: uniform ashy gray over the entire body, slightly paler on the underparts, with whitish belly and undertail coverts, a faint pale eyebrow, and fine streaks on the throat. In flight, however, the striking cinnamon wing feathers with a dark subterminal band and the dark gray tail with rufous edges and a black terminal band are clearly visible. The bill is long, straight, and sharp, entirely black, and the legs are dark grayish. Male and female are similar; juveniles show a slight beige tint on the belly. When perched, it resembles a gaucho (Agriornis) or a ground tyrant (Muscisaxicola).
Geographical distribution: Inhabits the Andes from central Peru and western Bolivia to northwestern Argentina. In Argentina, it occurs in ravines and slopes near queñoa (Polylepis spp.) forests, in the upper Yungas zone, between 3,500 and 4,000 m a.s.l. It is mainly recorded in Jujuy and Salta, with a small population in the Cumbres Calchaquíes of Tucumán.
Habitat: Prefers open high-Andean environments with rocky outcrops, grasslands, and cliffs, especially near queñoa forests or montane scrublands. Uses elevated perches such as dry branches, Puyas, rocks, or posts from which it watches and hunts.
Feeding: Insectivorous. Catches insects from a perch in short, precise flights, also “hawks” them in the air. Occasionally descends to the ground to chase prey with short runs, and often strikes large prey against rocks to kill them before eating.
Behavior: Usually solitary or in pairs. Territorial, it spends long periods perched on exposed rocks or branches, from which it performs hunting flights. Its song is a soft, high-pitched whistle of low intensity (“tuii tuii piu tiui”).
Breeding: Breeds in queñoa forests and rocky ravines. The nest is an open cup built with fine twigs and moss, placed in trees, generally Polylepis, or in bromeliads of the genus Puya. Both adults feed the chicks.
Conservation status: Uncommon species with a restricted distribution in northwestern Argentina. Its presence depends closely on queñoa remnants, an ecosystem threatened by logging, grazing, and fires. In Argentina, it is classified as Vulnerable (VU), while internationally it is listed as Least Concern (LC), though with a declining population trend.
Authors of this compilation: Diego Carus and Maria Belén Dri - 09/11/2025